Hi everyone, this is my first post since joining Glow.  I would like all of yours opinion about having a pet or a therapy dog to helps my anxiety. I'm 21 and I have been recently diagnosed witnesses panic attack and severe anxiety. I do not know why as to all mental ill patients out there reason why doesn't have a specific answer beside stress and I know everyone have stressed but why for me it is extreme. My twenty years of my life have been average, yes stress at time but it kind of school stress not others. I do not have kid and not married.  I'm in college and work park time.  My life seen more satisfying and happier than most people I'm grateful for everything and everyone in my life and I'm not depressed  but this past year I have this panic attack that control me and anxiety issues. Yes!  Ive always been that scary cat child where I don't like the dark,  roller coaster, or scary movie and growing up I've never grown out of that instead it got worsened. I feel insecure like someone watching me, I have nightmares every nights, once that seem so real I sweat and woke up in a daze believing it will happened to me so much that I cannot be alone now I can't stand being alone I feel suffocating and my panic attack would come up. My parents been looking for high and low for doctor but I don't think it will help, so I want to get a dog or may be a therapy dog to help being there with me and may be my love for my pet will be a distraction of my own fear?  I have seats wants a dog and my parents never agree but this time I have a feeling they might.  Can I get someone opinion about this?  PlEase help! If you know someone like me,  if you are a doctor yourself?  Please help I'm desperate